Album Review: Brick By Brick - Dismal Existence
Reviewed by Daniel Phipps
Back before bands with terrible haircuts and skinny jeans got ahold of it, metallic hardcore and (real) metalcore were phenomenal, interesting and extremely vicious form of hardcore. It opened up the hardcore scene to a new breed of fans as an example I wouldn’t have delved much into hardcore if it had not been for Stampin’ Ground really opening my eyes, I may have been familiar with bands who played hardcore but it was the sheer aggression that they brought which led me down that rabbit hole. So why am I doing the old man yells at cloud regarding metallic hardcore? Well that’s because New York’s Brick by Brick just happen to play that style and the band are set to release a brand new full length record Dismal Existence.
Dismal Existence is a high power record which has a testosterone level of around 10,000. After a couple of slower but still heavy pummelling opening tracks the first real glimpse of what Brick by Brick can offer is 'Full of Hell', great up tempo thrashy riffs that the metal crowd can get behind and chuggy windmill inducing breakdowns and singalong chorus for the hardcore crowd.
'Can’t be Broken' is another great example of the power on display within Dismal Existence which also showcases some more classic metal stylings with an almost Black Sabbath sounding riffing at points during the track. If you want more of an anthemic sound, this record has it covered with songs like 'From my Eyes' and 'Loyalty to the Grave' have you covered, along with finishing with a cover of the Sick of it All classic “Just Look Around”.
On the whole Dismal Existence is a good album, it’s not got the repeatability factor however which will keep you going to be a record you spin daily but at those times when you give it a listen it will be an enjoyable listen.
